Rafa Heading To Man Utd?

Last updated : 19 October 2018 By Footy Mad - Editor

Chris Waddle has defended Rafa Benitez with the former Real Madrid manager still in contract limbo at St James' Park.

Despite meeting Mike Ashley two weeks ago, the Toon chief has still not moved forward on contract discussions and could leave in May.

Speaking to Sportingbet Waddle said: "Everybody at the club from the players to the fans loves Rafa Benitez and wants him to stay for the long-term, I don’t think anyone would begrudge him leaving in these conditions.

"He is a very talented ambitious manager who is not getting even close to what he wants from Mike Ashley and there’s only so many times you can ignore the approaches from other clubs with looser purse strings.

"Newcastle United are set for a relegation battle this season, there’s no doubt about that.

" Benitez has essentially had the same group of players for the last three years and is being asked to work miracles.

"The players are performing well, but they aren’t scoring goals."

Despite Waddle's fears that Benitez will leave the club, the ex-England ace said: "I think Rafa Benitez would love to sign a new deal at Newcastle and stay at the club next year, if they can avoid relegation.

"He will have offers from other clubs but he knows how rare it is to have unwavering support from the fans and that’s exactly what he has at Newcastle.

"There will come a point where Rafa Benitez has to leave Newcastle in order to fulfil his own ambitions.

"He wants to compete for trophies and have more freedom in the transfer market, but there’s little sign of that happening at the moment.